Treatment for ear infections usually focus on managing the pain and monitoring the problem, since ear infections can clear up on their own in most cases.

Symptoms in children include the following:

Tugging or pulling at an ear

Difficulty sleeping

Ear pain when lying down

Crying more than usual

Loss of balance

Fever 100F (38 C) or higher

Headache

Loss of appetite

Drainage of fluid from the ear

Difficulty hearing and responding to sounds

Acting more irritable than usual

Adults, on the other hand, experience the following symptoms:

Ear pain

Diminished hearing

Drainage of fluid from the ear

Should you see a doctor?

As we mentioned a number of times, in most cases, ear infections go away on their own [10].

However, there are certain cases when you need to visit a physician to get an expert opinion.

That is when the ear pain is severe, the symptoms last for more than a day without pause, the symptoms occur in a child less than 6 months of age, and you observe a discharge of fluid pus, or bloody discharge from the ear.

Risk factors

Anyone can develop an ear infection, but some of us are more prone to it than others.

The risk factors for an ear infection include:

Children between 6 months and 2 years old

Group child care

Babies drinking from a bottle while lying down

Seasonal factors, as infections are more common during fall and winter, specifically during flu season

Exposure to tobacco smoke and high levels of air pollution

How to flush away fluid in ear

An acute ear infection is never “cute”.

As we saw it by now an ear infection is often follow by pain, headache, fever, discharge, and other symptoms that can make your everyday tasks challenging.

That being said, a physician will prescribe you some ear drops and antibiotics [11].

If you like to try some natural remedies, you have that option as well. And for most people, the natural way is always better than the traditional medicine way.

Here are some ways how you get rid of fluid in ear naturally.

Steaming

A home steam treatment is usually the simplest and easiest way to get rid of fluid in ear.

All you need is a bowl of warm water, and a warm towel.

A warm steam treatment will open the Eustachian tube, the one that is blocking fluid.

Once you open the tube, fluid can drain easily.

For this treatment, fill a large bowl with boiling water.

Then, cover your head with a towel, and hold your ear over the steam bath.

If you like to take things to the next level, add some chamomile or tea tree, anti-inflammatory herbs that will help.

Stay at maximum of 10 minutes under the towel, and then sit down.

In some cases, a steam from a shower will also help to loosen the fluid and get it out of your ear.

Gravity drain

The cheapest way to get rid of fluid in ear is to let gravity do its work.

This is a safe ear draining procedure that you can perform at home.

It will provide temporary relief.

All you have to do is tilt your head, or lie down to the side.

Make sure the affected ear faces down.

That will encourage fluid to drain out.

Put a towel or cloth underneath, so that the fluid will come out on it.

Bear in mind, this treatment might not get all of the fluids out.

In some cases, you still might need to visit a physician for an ear draining treatment.

Blow-drying

Some people swear by the blow-dryer technique, some say it is not safe.

It is up to you to decide whether you want to try it or not.

Make sure to run the hair dryer on the lowest heat and blow setting available.

Hold the mouth of the device a foot away from your ear.

The idea behind the technique is that the warm and dry air will turn the water to steam and pull it out of your ear.

Just be careful not to do it for too long, otherwise you might burn your ear on the side of your face.

While this technique is controversial, if you believe it in, you can try it and live with the results.

Chew or Yawn

As you can see, there are a number of home remedies for fluid in ear that require absolutely no money.

Chew on anything you can, be it a gum or food.

You can also try yawning.

Both techniques will encourage the inner ear tube to open, as chewing stretches the Eustachian tubes.

After chewing or yawning for few minutes, tilt your affected ear down.

This will encourage the fluid to flow outward.

You can also pinch your nose while chewing and yawning.

Depending on the cause of the fluid in ear, you might need to chew or yawn for a longer period of time to see results.

DIY Ear Drops

As mentioned previously, a physician will most likely prescribe some ear drops for your fluid in ear and ear infection.

But you can also make your own at home.

You need 1 part of rubbing alcohol and 1 part of white vinegar.

Mix them together, and then use a sterilized eye dripper to carefully put 3 to 4 drops into the affected ear.

The solution works as an antibacterial agent, and will break down infection and ear wax, allowing fluid to come out naturally.

Humidifier

If the fluid in ear is caused by infection or sinuses, you can treat it by placing a humidifier in your bedroom.

Or on a side table that is close to your affected ear.

The humidifier will encourage steam production and ease fluid buildup.

This is basically a more advanced use of the steam treatment.

Humidifiers are extremely popular during the winter months, as the air in the house can become extremely dry.